North Korea
North Korea has recently conducted a series of provocative missile tests, firing multiple short-range ballistic missiles towards its east coast. This marks the second such missile launch within a week, according to South Korean and Japanese sources.
The missiles were launched from Kaechon, located north of Pyongyang, at approximately 6:50 AM local time on Wednesday (21:50 GMT on Tuesday).
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported that the missiles traveled about 400 kilometers (249 miles) in a northeastern direction.
Although the JCS did not specify the exact number of missiles fired or their landing locations, they condemned the action as a serious threat to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Japan also confirmed the missile launch, with its coastguard reporting that at least two ballistic missiles were fired by North Korea.
This latest test comes shortly after a significant meeting between North Korea’s foreign minister and Sergei Shoigu, a high-ranking Russian security official, in Moscow.
The timing of the missile tests has led to speculation about a potential link between North Korea’s missile activities and its alleged supply of weapons to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict. North Korea has consistently denied these allegations.
Analysts suggest that the recent missile launches might be connected to North Korea’s increasing cooperation with Russia.
Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, noted that given the recent escalation in the Ukraine war and Shoigu’s visit to Pyongyang, these tests could be related to North Korea’s potential weapon exports to Russia.
This missile test follows North Korea’s previous launch of short-range ballistic missiles last Thursday, which was the first major test in over two months.
Pyongyang claimed that test was to evaluate a new 600mm multiple-launch rocket system. The current missile tests represent North Korea’s first significant activity since early July.
The United States, South Korea, and Ukraine have all accused North Korea of supplying rockets and missiles to Russia, potentially in exchange for economic or military support.
A recent report by Conflict Armament Research indicated that North Korean missiles produced this year have been utilized in combat against Ukraine.
United Nations sanctions monitors also reported that fragments of a North Korean Hwasong-11 missile were found following a Russian attack in Kharkiv in January.
The timing of Wednesday’s missile tests is also notable as it comes shortly after North Korea released the first-ever images of its uranium enrichment facility.
North Korea, which conducted its first nuclear test in 2006, has been under UN sanctions since then.
